March is Iowa History Month

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 at 8:31 am CDT

The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs invites Iowans of all ages to learn more about our state’s past throughout Iowa History Month in March. Every year, this statewide tradition offers new opportunities to learn more about Iowa’s past and the remarkable Iowans from all walks of life who have influenced their communities, their state, their country and, in many cases, the entire world.

“Iowa history is more complex and more fascinating than many lifelong Iowans realize,” State Historical Society of Iowa Administrator Susan Kloewer said. “There is always more to learn and never a better time to do it than Iowa History Month. We encourage Iowans of all ages across the state to discover and share some of the stories that have shaped who we are today.”

Starting with a proclamation from Gov. Kim Reynolds, Iowa History Month continues with an array of in-person and online programs organized by the State Historical Society of Iowa, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. Iowans and others can tune in to online presentations, take part in activities designed for families and children, discover materials in the new Iowa History Collection Catalog and take guided tours at the State Historical Museum of Iowa, 600 E. Locust St. in Des Moines. Across the state, schools, libraries, museums and other organizations are also hosting their own history events to add to the month-long celebration.

Here are just a few highlights:

Online Presentations
Tune in online at noon every Thursday during March for a new presentation in the Iowa History 101 series, which examines history through a cultural lens. Learn about the pork industry (March 3), the political and social influence of Louise Noun and Mary Louise Smith (March 10), Irish Iowa (March 17), discriminatory “redlining” in housing policies (March 24), and the World Food Prize (March 31). Advanced registration is free but required for each session.

Guided Museum Tours
Join State Curator Leo Landis for a 45-minute guided tour through any of three exhibits at the State Historical Museum of Iowa: “Iowa’s People & Places” (2 p.m. March 15), “Iowa and the Civil War” (2 p.m. March 16) and “Iowa History 101” (2 p.m. March 17). The free tours are open to children and adults alike, but children must be accompanied by an adult, and advanced registration is required.

Pop-Up Displays
See one of the temporary “Iowa’s People & Places” displays the State Historical Museum of Iowa recently sent to all 99 counties to commemorate Iowa’s 175th statehood anniversary. A list of locations can be found online, but visitors are encouraged to call ahead to confirm.

Goldie’s Kids Club Activities
Join Goldie the Goldfinch, the state bird, for a full slate of educational programs and hands-on activities for all ages. The month’s lineup includes free, mail-order Spring Break Kits that families can request online by March 6 and a new Innovative Iowans Day Camp on March 16, when students in grades 4-6 can engage in activities connected to STEAM education (science, technology, engineering, arts and math).

Local History Network Events
The Local History Network, which is organized by the State Historical Society of Iowa, includes local and county historical museums, genealogical societies, libraries and other organizations across the state. Many of these partners plan to host special programs throughout Iowa History Month.

Iowans are encouraged to post their #IowaHistoryMonth stories, events and discoveries throughout the month on social media.

More information about Iowa History Month and the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs is available at iowaculture.gov or 515-281-5111.

Sports, March 2nd

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 at 6:39 am CDT

High School Basketball

The Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ season came to an end last night in the first round of the state tournament as they fell to North Linn 68-36. Nerves affected both teams in the first quarter with both the Lynxes and Wolves turning the ball over and keeping the game close with North Linn up 14 to 12. After the first quarter, North Linn turned up the heat defensively and started hitting their three-point shots. At halftime, Winfield-Mt. Union only had three players with points while North Linn had 8 players account for their 33 to 21 lead. The defense only got more tenacious for the Lynxes as they finished the game with 20 steals and outran the Wolves scoring 20 points in transition compared to the 2 points for Winfield-Mt. Union. Head Coach Mendy McCreight was proud of her team’s effort. Melina Oepping captured a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds with Bradie Buffington scoring 10 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. The Wolves finished the season with a 22-2 record with Coach McCreight happy with what her team was able to accomplish this year.

New London earned the 8th seed and will go against the #1 seed Grand View Christian on March 6th at 10:30 am.

College Signings

Buena Vista will get a talented volleyball player in Grace Coble. She helped the Warriors to a 27-7 record last year and led the Warriors in assists with 600 and was tied for third in kills for the team with 117 on the season. Coble ends her career with an astonishing 1,848 assists. Coble had only great things to say about Beaver athletics when talking about her decision.

Ellah Kissell will be driving the lane and looking to score at Kirkwood Community College to begin her collegiate career. She led the Warriors to an 18-5 record last season and a second place finish in conference standings. Kissell finished her career with 1,384 points. Kissell’s competitive nature shined through in her reasoning for picking Kirkwood.

Loras College will be adding the middle linebacker from WACO to next year’s roster in Drew Diers as he will also be studying Kinesiology. Last season, Diers racked up 108 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for a loss, and ranked 3rd in 8-man football in total tackles. Diers talked about being a part of last year’s team and the excitement from it.

Simeon Reichenbach has officially signed with Grand View University to continue playing football at the college level. Over the past two seasons, Reichenbach has rushed for 2,989 yards and 56 touchdowns, while also catching 35 passes for 578 yards and 6 touchdowns. As the starting kicker, he also went 19 of 26 for field goals with a long of 49. He talked about why he picked Grand View University after his signing.

Youth Basketball

March Madness 5 on 5 Basketball Tournament held at Iowa Wesleyan University for 5th – 8th grade girls and boys will take place on March 18th and 19th. Please contact Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jordan Ashton for more details at 319-385-6307 or visit www.infosports.com.

Iowa Wesleyan Athletics

The women’s basketball team will be participating in the NAIA National Tournament beginning on March 7th. The Tigers will find out who and where they play at 6 pm tonight.

The 23rd-ranked men’s team qualified for the National Tournament beginning on March 7th. The Tigers will find out who and where they play tonight at 7 pm.

The women’s wrestling team will be competing in the 2023 NAIA Women’s Wrestling National Championship which will take place on March 10th.

The men’s wrestling team will have Lane Scorpil represent the Tigers at the NAIA Men’s Wrestling National Championship meet tomorrow, March 3rd.

The Tigers Indoor Track and Field teams will be competing in the NAIA Indoor Track and Field national championship meet today.

The Tiger baseball team will have a doubleheader against Southeastern University tomorrow March 3rd with game one at 3 pm.

The Tiger softball team will have two games on March 5th with game one against Malone College at 1 pm and game two at 5 pm against the University of Pikeville.

This Day in Sports History

1929 – George Hainsworth becomes first NHL goaltender to record 20 shutouts in one season when the Montreal Canadiens beat the visiting Boston Bruins, 3-0; ends season with 22.

1962 – Philadelphia center Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points, most ever by an NBA player in a single game, in Warriors’ 169-147 win over NY Knicks in Hershey; 36-of-63 from field, 28-of-32 from free-throw line.

2012 – NFL establishes existence of a bounty program for the New Orleans Saints from 2009-11; players given incentives to injure opposition; coach Sean Payton was suspended for the 2012 season.

Buena Vista Signs Grace Coble to Play Volleyball

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, March 1st, 2023 at 5:16 pm CDT

WACO High School- Buena Vista will get a talented volleyball player in Grace Coble. She helped the Warriors to a 27-7 record last year that ended in the Regional semifinal, but she continues to get to play the sport that she grew up watching and playing.

Coble led the Warriors in assists last year with 600 and was tied for third in kills for the team with 117 on the season. Coble ends her career with an astonishing 1,848 assists. Coble had only great things to say about Beaver athletics when talking about her decision,

“It’s the coach, Coach Baumann is just an incredible coach. When I talked to him right on the phone and when I went up for a visit, he’s the reason really why I wanted to go play volleyball there. It’s really not just about me as a player, but me as a human and I really like that concept.”

The Beaver’s finished last year with a 13-12 record.

Ellah Kissell will be Playing Basketball at Kirkwood Community College

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, March 1st, 2023 at 5:03 pm CDT

WACO High School- Ellah Kissell will be driving the lane and looking to score at Kirkwood Community College to begin her collegiate career. She led the Warriors to an 18-5 record last season and a second place finish in conference standings.

Kissell finished her career with 1,384 points and an incredible senior season. She finished 4th in Class 1A in points scored with 510, ranked 27th in steals with 84 on the season, and 32nd in three-pointers made with 44 on the season. Kissell’s competitive nature shined through in her reasoning for picking Kirkwood,

“I really liked Kirkwood’s program, they have a really nice program their coaches and all their staff are amazing, and I knew if I picked Kirkwood I would be challenged the most than probably any other college and I like that.”

Kirkwood currently touts a 25-2 record on the season.

Drew Diers Signs to Play at Loras College

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, March 1st, 2023 at 4:48 pm CDT

WACO High School- Loras College will be adding the middle linebacker from WACO to next year’s roster in Drew Diers as he will also be studying Kinesiology. The WACO team was anchored by a stifling defense with Diers clogging up the middle of the field.

Last season, Diers racked up 108 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for a loss, and ranked 3rd in 8-man football in total tackles. Diers also had 2 interceptions in his junior year with one being returned for a touchdown. Diers talked about being a part of last year’s team and the excitement from it,

“This season was the most fun I’ve ever had in my life. Every single day I looked forward to going to practice and even if we were 0-8 I’d still have so much fun these guys are my family…”

Drew Diers will be joining a Duhawks team that went 5-5 last season.

February Students of Character

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, March 1st, 2023 at 3:25 pm CDT

Mount Pleasant High School is proud to announce the February 2023 Students of Character, Katie Ettinger & Kate Musselman. These students have demonstrated Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. Students are nominated by the MPCHS faculty each month. If you see these students at school or in the community, please tell them to keep up the good work! We are Panther Proud of you all!

#GoPanthers #PantherProud

Additional nominees:

Addison McGehearty

Audrey Mertens

Emilirose McDowell

Isaac Lehman

Josie Gilmore

Kylie Walderbach

Zoey Johnson

Celebrate Iowa History Month in March

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, March 1st, 2023 at 3:18 pm CDT

DES MOINES – March is Iowa History Month and the State Historical Society of Iowa is taking a deep dive into the state’s past with programs and activities.

Today kicks off the month-long celebration with an official proclamation from Gov. Kim Reynolds noting the people, places and points of pride that have defined Iowa for generations.

“Since 1857, the State Historical Society of Iowa has been the official keeper of Iowa’s history,” State Historical Society of Iowa Administrator Susan Kloewer said. “There’s no better time to learn about our state’s rich and complex past than during Iowa History Month, and we encourage Iowans of all ages across the state to join us and discover the stories that have shaped our state.”

Beginning with the proclamation, Iowa History Month offers a wide array of in-person and online programs organized by the State Historical Society of Iowa, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. Iowans and others can tune in to online presentations, take part in family-friendly activities, and take guided tours at the state’s flagship museum, the State Historical Museum of Iowa, 600 E. Locust St. in Des Moines.

Here are a few highlights, including programs and activities during Spring Break, March 10-17:

Iowa History 101
Be sure to register for the Iowa History 101 programs that take place online in March, and throughout the rest of the year.

Each program is recorded and made available online. More information is available at Iowa History 101.

Iowa History Book Club
Our 2023 Iowa History Book Club online programs explore a number of books related to Iowa history, from the formative years of the American Midwest and an Iowan’s ties to Oskar Schindler to First Lady Lou Henry Hoover and the suffrage movement. Here’s the schedule for March and future months:

Spring Break Activities during Iowa History Month

Goldie’s Kids Club
Participate in Goldie’s Kids Club online to introduce Iowa history to children ages 12 and under – starting with Goldie the eastern goldfinch, the state bird.

  • March 4, 10 a.m.
    History Mystery Live
    Learn about objects related to Women’s History Month.
  • March 4, 10 a.m.
    Innovative Iowans
    Learn about the Great State Seal of Iowa.
  • March 15, Open hours
    Storytime
    Read “Ten Beautiful Things” by Molly Beth Griffin.

Iowa Culture App
Download the Iowa Culture App to discover historic sites in neighborhoods from all 99 Iowa counties.

Visit the State Historical Museum of Iowa

Iowa History Research Center

  • Explore the newly renovated State Historical Library & Archives Iowa History Research Center at the State Historical Building in Des Moines, now open 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Wednesday – Friday. Visitors will find numerous upgrades and improvements and can dive into collections filled with state government records, books and periodicals, newspapers, county records, manuscripts, photographs and more.
  • Iowans can also access the Iowa History Collections Catalog, a unified, user-friendly online catalog that provides greater access to the state’s collection of more than 200 million pieces of Iowa history, available to anyone with an internet connection, anywhere in the world.

“History Happens Here” T-shirt

For more information, visit iowaculture.gov or call 515-281-5111.

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Viking Football Adds Simeon Reichenbach to the Upcoming Roster

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, March 1st, 2023 at 1:57 pm CDT

WACO High School- Simeon Reichenbach has officially signed with Grand View University to continue playing football at the college level. Reichenbach has helped lead the team to a 23-2 record over the past two seasons as the Warriors finished in 2nd place in last year’s 8-man football state tournament.

Over the past two seasons, Reichenbach has rushed for 2,989 yards and 56 touchdowns, while also catching 35 passes for 578 yards and 6 touchdowns. As the starting kicker, he also went 19 of 26 for field goals with a long of 49. In their 29-21 win over Newell-Fonda to make it to the state championship, Reichenbach rushed for 90 yards and 2 touchdowns on his way to game MVP. He talked about why he picked Grand View University after his signing,

“When I visited there it felt right. I had a little click, so that’s what felt good.”

He will be joining a Vikings squad that went 13-1 making it to the semifinals of the NAIA Playoffs.